Brush for Applying a Cosmetic Product

ABSTRACT

A bristle brush for applying a cosmetic product to hair is provided with a sleeve having a longitudinal axis and at least one perforation. The brush is disposed within the sleeve so that brush bristles extend through the perforation for contact with the hair. The perforation is circular, arcuate, rectangular, square, triangular or trapezoidal in shape or at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve. When the sleeve has a plurality of perforations, the perforations can be shaped alike or can differ in shape and/or in angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve so that one or more predetermined performance characteristics are obtained when the brush is used to apply the cosmetic product to the hair. A method for adjusting brush performance characteristics is also disclosed.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 11/124,484 filed May6, 2005, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a brush for applying a cosmetic and inparticular a mascara. The brush is provided with a perforated sleeveover the brush which disrupts the configuration of the brush bristles.The perforations in the sleeve also act as a reservoir for the cosmeticproduct and in particular for the mascara. The device of the presentinvention can be employed with a conventional rod and vialconfiguration.

Advantageously, by varying the number of perforations the shape, and/orangle or orientation of the perforations with respect to thelongitudinal axis of the sleeve, one can obtain one or morepredetermined desired performance characteristics of the brush.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

U.S. Pat. No. 6,295,994 discloses a mascara applicator comprising aconventional twisted wire core with a plurality of radially extendingbristles regularly disposed in a first orientation. A cylindricallyconfigured helix is twisted onto the brush around the wire core so thatthe brush bristles extend radially between successive loops of thehelix. The helix moves at least some of the bristles to a secondorientation so as to alter one or more brush characteristics such asmascara retention, mascara application, combing characteristics andbrush appearance. The dimensions of the helix, pitch of the helix andthickness of the helix body are preselected to yield the desiredcharacteristics in the finished brush.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,027,838 discloses a cosmetic applicator having a brushwith radially adjustable length bristles. The applicator includes abrush head, shaft and sleeve. The brush head has an elongated brush stemwith a plurality of bristles circumferentially attached tufts radiatingoutwardly therefrom. A plurality of perforations are provided in an endof the sleeve through which the bristle tufts are forced to protrude.The brush head and shaft to which the latter is attached are held withinthe sleeve. When the sleeve is rotated, the bristle tufts protrudingthrough the perforations will wind or unwind around the brush stem,depending on the direction of rotation. In such manner, the effectiveoutward radial length of the protruding bristles tufts can be adjusted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the sleeve-brush construction of the present invention, a bristlebrush of any construction is inserted into a sleeve of oval, round,square, hexagonal or triangular cross-section. The sleeve is perforatedto allow the brush bristle fibers to protrude therethrough. The numberof bristles fibers protruding per perforation may be controlled byadjustment of the relative size of the perforations. The number ofperforations in the sleeve may also be varied to obtain a final brush ofthe desired overall bristle count.

The perforations in the sleeve may be discontinuous, parallel,perpendicular, or any angle in between relative to the longitudinal axisof the applicator. The perforations may also intersect each other so asto form crosses V's and/or L's. The perforations may be formed intoshapes, curves, or curve patterns in any repetitive or non-repetitivearrangement. For example, the perforations may form a company logo.Perforations may be positioned near each other or far from one anotherin order to adjust the performance of the brush.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a brushassembly in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the brushin place and the end of the assembly capped;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment wherein the sleeve hasrectangular perforations that differ in length;

FIGS. 4-6 are perspective views of embodiments wherein the sleeve hasrectangular perforations that differ in width, spacing betweenperforations and number of perforations;

FIGS. 7, 8 and 10 are perspective views of embodiments wherein thesleeve has rectangular perforations that are angularly offset withrespect to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment wherein the sleeveperforations are stepped to form a helix-like pattern around thecircumference of the sleeve; and FIGS. 11 a-f are perspective views ofembodiments illustrating examples of various geometric shapedperforations that can be employed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIG. 1, the brush assembly of the present invention iscomprised of a twisted wire brush 1 having a handle 2. Such brushes arewell known to those skilled in the art. They are generally produced byplacing a layer of fibers between the legs of a U-shaped pin then fixingone end of the pin while twisting the other end to form a helix. Thefibers are entrapped within the turns of the helix, such fibers beinghereinafter generally referred to as bristles 4. Brush 1 is encasedwithin sleeve 3. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, sleeve 3 is provided withrectangular perforations 5 a and 5 b which differ in length.

As shown in FIG. 2, when brush 1 is positioned within the bore of sleeve3, a portion of the bristles of the brush that underlie the perforationswill protrude through the perforations (brush portions 4 a-4 n). Anybristles protruding through the end 3 a of sleeve 3 can be trimmed or,as shown in brush portions FIG. 2, end 3 a can optionally be closed bycap 3 b, or any other suitable closure. Instead of cap 3 b one canpermit the tufts of the enclosed brush to protrude through end 3 a orutilize as a closure another functional element such as a comb or likestyling implement. Once positioned within the sleeve 3, and the brush 1and hence the brush portions 4 a-4 n are fixed into position, and thebrush 1 does not rotate relative to the sleeve 3.

As is illustrated in the embodiments of FIGS. 3-6, the perforations insleeve 3 can be rectangular in shape and can vary in number, spacing,width and length. They can be uniform in width, length and spacing asshown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 or vary, as shown in FIG. 3.

As is illustrated in the embodiments of FIGS. 7, 8 and 10, theperforations on sleeve 3 can be angularly offset with respect to thelongitudinal axis of sleeve 3. In FIG. 7 one perforation is at an acuteangle with respect to the adjacent perforation.

As shown in FIG. 9, the perforations can be stepped so that a helix-likepattern is formed around the circumference of sleeve 3.

In FIG. 10 the rectangular perforations in sleeve 3 fan out.

As is illustrated in the embodiments of FIGS. 11 a-f, the perforationson sleeve 3 can be of virtually any suitable geometric shape, forexample, square, diamond, pentagon, hexagon, circle, semi-circle,triangle, arc, rectangle, polygon. The perforation can also be shaped inthe form of a letter, for example, an S, T, U, V or W or in the form ofa plus sign. The perforations can vary in length and width. Aperforation can even be tapered or pie shaped. The number ofperforations and types of perforations employed on a sleeve can bevaried. By selecting a particular shaped perforation or combination ofshaped perforations, and a particular configuration of the perforationson sleeve 3, one can obtain a brush having one or more predeterminedperformance characteristics.

Typically, the plurality of perforations are provided sequentially onthe surface of the sleeve 3 and along its longitudinal axis, althoughthe perforations do not have to be in longitudinal alignment.Accordingly, the perforations may be randomly placed along the length ofthe cylindrical surface of the sleeve and may also be located anywherein the lateral axis of the sleeve. Preferably, all of the perforationsare situated wholly within the cylindrical surface of the sleeve 3. Alsopreferably, the perforations, when rectangular in geometry, have a majorside where their length is not substantially collinear with thelongitudinal axis of the sleeve. By substantially collinear is meantthat the major side of the perforation forms with the longitudinal axisan angle of less than about 15°, preferably less than about 30°.

Traditionally, brush construction allows for the following variables:

-   -   (1) fibers per turn    -   (2) cut length of fibers    -   (3) diameter of fibers    -   (4) length of brush    -   (5) fiber material and    -   (6) fiber cross-section.

Typically, the performance of a particular brush can only be defined byadjusting these variables.

The perforated sleeve-brush assembly of the present invention introducesa new design variable that can precisely determine the finalcharacteristic of a brush. All of the aforementioned traditionalemployed variables may still be applied; however, in accordance with thepresent invention, one skilled in the art will now be able to furtherdefine an applicator by:

-   -   (1) fibers per perforation    -   (2) perforations per inch and    -   (3) perforation configuration.

Advantageously, the perforations in the sleeve also act as a reservoirfor a cosmetic product, such as a mascara. As the brush assembly of thepresent invention is withdrawn from the product container, the cosmeticproduct will enter the perforations then, during application, willtransfer to the surface to which the product is applied (e.g. theeyelashes, eyebrows or hair).

Typically, mascara containers employ a wiper to remove excess mascarafrom a mascara brush as it is withdrawn from its container. When a wiperis used with the brush-sleeve assembly of the present invention, it actsto force the mascara into the perforations.

The size and shape of the perforations precisely determine the amount ofcosmetic product (for example, mascara) that remains on the applicatorafter wiping.

Advantageously, due to mechanical support offered by the perforationedges, finer fibers may be employed in the construction of the brush.Finer fibers have a softer feel and allow for improved combing,definition and separation of the hair.

1. A brush for applying a cosmetic product to hair comprising a sleevehaving a longitudinal axis and at least one perforation, and a brushbeing disposed within the sleeve, the brush having a plurality ofbristles forming brush portions that extend through the at least oneperforation wholly within the cylindrical surface of he sleeve.
 2. Thebrush as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sleeve has plurality ofperforations having a shape selected from the group consisting ofcircular, arcuate, rectangular, square, triangular, or trapezoidal inshape, or any combination thereof.
 3. The brush as claimed in claim 2,wherein the sleeve perforations form an angle with respect to thelongitudinal axis of the sleeve.
 4. The brush as claimed in 2, whereinat least one perforation differs in shape from another perforation. 5.The brush as claimed in claim 2, wherein the perforation is arcuate inshape.
 6. The brush as claimed in claim 2, wherein the perforation isrectangular in shape.
 7. rush as claimed in claim 2, wherein theperforation is triangular in shape.
 8. The brush as claimed in claim 2,wherein the perforation is trapezoidal in shape.
 9. The brush as claimedin claim 2, wherein at least one of said perforations is arcuate inshape and at least one other of said perforations is rectangular,triangular or trapezoidal in shape or is at an angle with respect to thelongitudinal axis of the sleeve.
 10. The brush as claimed in claim 2,wherein at least one of said perforations is rectangular in shape and atleast one other of said perforations is triangular or trapezoidal inshape or is at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of thesleeve.
 11. The brush as claimed in claim 2, wherein at least one ofsaid perforations is trapezoidal in shape and at least one other of saidperforations is rectangular or triangular in shape or is at an anglewith respect to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve.
 12. The brush asclaimed in claim 2, wherein at least one of said perforations is at afirst angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve and atleast one other of said perforations is at a second angle with respectto the longitudinal axis of the sleeve, the first and second anglesdiffering from one another.
 13. A method for adjusting performancecharacteristics of a brush for applying a cosmetic product to hair, saidbrush having bristles, a sleeve having a longitudinal axis and at leastone perforation, the brush being disposed within the sleeve so that atleast a portion of the bristles extend through the perforation forcontact with the hair, comprising adjusting one or more of the followingparameters (i) length of the perforation; (ii) width of the perforation;(iii) bristle thickness; (iv) bristle length; (v) angle of theperforation with respect to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve; (vi)shape of the perforation; (vii) the position of one perforation withrespect to another perforation, whereby one or more predeterminedperformance characteristics of the brush are obtained when it isemployed to apply the cosmetic product to the hair.